About Sean
Sean Holiday is a results-driven educator with 17 years of diverse experience in public, private, and homeschool settings, both domestically and internationally.
He started as a 7th-grade teacher at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy in Los Angeles, swiftly progressing to assistant principal and then principal at the age of 26. Under his leadership, CNCA achieved a top 10% statewide ranking, with an academic performance rating exceeding 820. His success is featured in The Urban Challenge in Education: The Story of Charter School Success in Los Angeles.
After 7 years at CNCA, Sean taught AP Economics, 12th-grade English, and global studies at the American School of Kinshasa in the DRC, where his students excelled in AP exams, highlighted by a 100% passing rate in 2017. He also helped to chair and speak at the TEDXYouth @ TASOK, one of the first TED events in the DRC. Upon returning to Los Angeles, he became the principal of Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy #4, earning recognition as a Top 40 Middle School in LA County and recognition for his cutting-edge reading intervention program based in the science of reading.
In 2021, Sean ventured into homeschooling, teaching a celebrity family in Los Angeles and the Dominican Republic. He later moved to Aruba, leading the secondary school at the International School of Aruba and teaching social studies, similarly achieving 90%+ success rates in AP exams. Returning to Los Angeles in 2023, Sean continues his dedication to individualized teaching, coaching, and development.
With a Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) from The George Washington University, a Master of Arts in Education from Loyola Marymount University, and a Master in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, Sean holds National Board Certification in secondary social studies and clear California credentials in Multiple Subjects, Single Subject Social Studies, and Administrative Services. He was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs and a Rhodes Scholarship finalist.
Work Experience
August 2023 - Present
August 2021 - July 2023
August 2017 - July 2021
August 2014 - July 2017
Education Management Agency | Los Angeles, California
Homeschool Teacher (2021, 2023-Present)
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Work closely with celebrity family to plan and execute homeschooling and enrichment opportunities for children in elementary and middle school
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Develop cross-curricular, authentic learning experiences for students that build upon their interests and develop their passions
The International School of Aruba | Oranjestad, Aruba
Secondary School Leader & AP Economics, AP Human Geography, & History Teacher
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Planned and facilitated professional development on topics including maximizing instructional time and aligning secondary grading practices; consistently earned scores of 3.6-3.8/4.0 on staff effectiveness surveys
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Overhauled processes for parent conferences and class enrollment to promote greater stakeholder involvement and clearer communication
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Crafted and delivered high-quality curriculum that emphasized authentic reading and writing, critical thinking skills, and self-reflection based on Advanced Placement framework and/or Common Core standards
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Achieved 95% passing rate on AP Microeconomics and 89% passing rate on AP Human Geography exams in 2023
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools | Los Angeles, California
Mentor Principal, Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 & 5 (2020-2021)
Principal, Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 (2017-2020)​​
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Led a high-performing middle school that served 450 students with a full-time staff of 45
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Implemented regular observation and feedback cycles for all teachers using theRelay Graduate School of Education “Getting Better, Faster” framework; increased Gallup “Best Place to Work” overall data from 4.07 to 4.24 (out of 5) over 3 years
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Launched a school-wide reading intervention program that provided research-based Wilson Language intervention to all qualifying students and enrichment opportunities for advanced readers; increased percentage of students reading at or above grade level by 12% between 2017 and 2019
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Increased Los Angeles Unified School District oversight score from 3.0 to 4.0 (out of 4.0) in areas of governance, fiscal management, operations, and academic achievement over 3 years
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Honors include: Top 40 Middle School in LA County by Innovate Public Schools (2020); California Honor Roll School from Educational Results Partnership (2018); Western Association of Schools & Colleges 6-year accreditation
The American School of Kinshasa | Democratic Republic of the Congo
AP Economics, English, History, & Student Leadership Teacher (2014-2017)
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Focused instruction on authentic learning experiences emphasizing close reading of primary and secondary sources, argumentative and informative writing, and text-based discussions
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AP passing rates: Microeconomics (2017: 100%; 2016: 92%; 2015: 71%); Macroeconomics (2017: 75%; 2016: 87%)
August 2010 - July 2014
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy, Burlington Campus | Los Angeles, California
Principal (2011-2014); Assistant Principal (2010-2011)
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Led a California Distinguished School with a Spanish/English bilingual program that served over 550 students with a full-time staff of 55
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Coached and evaluated 18 teachers and other school leaders using the Cognitive Coaching framework
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Maintained an 820+ Academic Performance Index, indicating school performance in the top 10% of similar schools statewide over three years Seventh Grade Humanities Teacher, Teach for America Corps Member (2006-2009)
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Increased student proficiency on California Standards Test by 20-30% annually